Editor’s note: content for this article was taken from DEPC’s recent e-blast. Photographed on the home page are, L-R: Beth Boney Jenkins, NCCF vice president for development; Kelly Lee, NCCF regional associate; Henrietta Zalkind, DEPC executive director; and PNC reps Jenny Grant and Richard Marshall — all on hand for the Partnership’s Endowment Kick-Off.

Down East Partnership for Children launched its endowment fund recently with a kickoff celebration designed to raise awareness among business, community and education leaders about the value of the permanent fund established with NCCF to support education initiatives in the Rocky Mount area.

“The endowment was put in place to sustain the legacy of the Partnership,” said Tim Wilson, partner with Poyner & Spruill and DEPC board member. “It takes all of us to keep it going.”

DEPC created an endowment-building campaign called the “20/20 Challenge” to reach out to all stakeholders and ask for small contributions to ensure the vitality of the organization. By December, the Partnership hopes to have 1,000 people who have each given $20 in honor of their 20th anniversary. 

“This has really been a wonderful two weeks for us,” said Henrietta Zalkind, DEPC executive director. “First, we received the 2013 Nonprofit Sector Stewardship Award and then we had a wonderful kickoff for our endowment campaign, which will further build our organization’s capacity to help our community move forward together.” 

The community is invited to participate in the challenge, and there are a variety of ways to participate: 

• Find 20 friends to contribute $20 to DEPC’s Endowment Fund
• Donate $20 for 20 months
• Share the campaign on social media with 20 friends
• Be creative and develop your own 20/20 vision
• Host a party or sale to raise funds
• Donate in any form or amount. Gifts of all sizes are welcome!

The Down East Partnership for Children Endowment Fund has been established with the North Carolina Community Foundation (NCCF), a statewide nonprofit that administers endowments for donors, scholarship fundholders and nonprofits across North Carolina. 

Kelly Lee, NCCF regional associate said the North Carolina Community Foundation is very excited to work with DEPC as an endowment partner. “We have always been impressed with the passion and dedication of the staff, volunteers and supporters, and we look forward to helping them grow their fund to continue their good work in perpetuity.”

For more information about the endowment or how to participate, call DEPC at 252-985-4300 or email Kelly Lee.